Damon Davis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Damon Davis
Davis at a screening for Whose Streets?, July 2017
Born	1985 (age 39–40)
Nationality	American
Alma mater	St. Louis University
Occupation	Artist, musician, filmmaker
Organization	Far-Fetched
Notable work	"All Hands on Deck"; Whose Streets?

Damon Davis (born 1985) is an American artist, musician, and filmmaker. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri. His public art project "All Hands on Deck" is now part of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Davis also started Far-Fetched, a group of artists in St. Louis. He helped direct Whose Streets?, a documentary film. This film is about the protests in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014. It was shown for the first time at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017.

Early Life and Education

Damon Davis grew up in East St. Louis. His mother was a sharecropper, and his father was part of the Black Panther Party. Davis went to St. Louis University. He first studied fine arts. Later, he changed his major and earned a degree in communications.

Damon Davis's Career

Davis has worked as a professional artist since 2010. He uses different types of art to share his messages.

Music Projects

In 2011, Davis formed a hip-hop group called Scriptz 'N Screwz. He used the stage name LooseScrewz. Later, in 2013, he started the artist group and record label Far-Fetched. With Corey Williams, he released an album called eklektrip. Since 2016, Davis has released music under his own name. His music often explores Afrofuturism themes. These themes include science fiction, Creole traditions, and "alternative blackness."

"All Hands on Deck" Art Project

In 2014, people in Ferguson, Missouri were waiting for a decision about a police officer. Stores in the area put up wooden boards on their windows. Davis used these boards for a public art project. He worked with store owners to put up posters on the plywood. These posters showed photographs of hands in the "hands up" gesture. This gesture became a symbol of protest.

Davis wanted to create something beautiful. He hoped it would give people hope and show support. Many people saw his project as very powerful. In 2016, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego showed his photographs. One of the original window boards from Ferguson is now in the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Whose Streets? Film

Davis co-directed the film Whose Streets? with Sabaah Folayan. This documentary is about the events in Ferguson after Michael Brown's death. The film was shown at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Critics gave it good reviews. They praised how the directors showed the story from the people's point of view. The film used images from those who lived through the events. Magnolia Pictures bought the film for theaters. It was released on August 11, 2017.

Before Whose Streets?, Davis also made a documentary in 2008. It was called Borrowed Time.

Awards and Recognition

In 2016, Damon Davis received special recognition. Filmmaker Magazine named him one of their "Twenty Five New Faces of Independent Film." Independent Magazine also listed him as one of their "10 Filmmakers to Watch." These awards recognize new and exciting talent in filmmaking.